(KAIR)--A small bridge, located in a residential area of Atchison, is set for replacement after being what the City of Atchison calls "a concern for many years due to deteriorating concrete and exposed steel reinforcement, requiring periodic and relative extensive patching."

Replacement of the Patriot Street Bridge, to improve drivability along Patriot and Julia Streets, will mean goodbye to the traditional bridge structure. Instead, the City says a concrete culvert structure will be installed, meaning a reduction in the need for significant repairs in the near future.

The matter was addressed during the June 2 meeting of the Atchison City Commission, with Public Works and Utilities Director Clinton McNemee telling Commissioners that because the construction bid came in lower than the estimated cost of $1.2 million, it meets the criteria of the 2023 Kansas Off-System Bridge program grant the City received, meaning that price-tag of $722,157 is fully covered by the awarded grant.

Despite those costs being covered, the City has, McNemee explained, expended funds to see the replacement realized, including costs associated with right-of-way acquisition, utility relocations, and design. The total cost of those items for the City is $264,210 with the sewer
relocation completed earlier this year accounting for most of that cost.

Following McNemee's presentation, the Commission voted to authorize signing of the resolution to award the replacement project to Reece Construction, at no cost to the City.

Commissioner Larry Wilcox abstained from the otherwise unanimous vote.